Urgent Help Needed for Mac’s Surgery

Help Us Give Mac a Fighting Chance

A couple of months ago, we noticed a small mass on Mac’s side. It was soft and felt like one of those common fatty lumps that many dogs get, so we weren’t overly concerned at first. But about a week ago, we noticed a firmer spot inside it—roughly the size of the tip of a thumb. Then, within just 48 to 72 hours, the mass grew rapidly, became completely solid, and is now nearly the size of a softball.

We took Mac to our hometown vet right away, and after running tests, we were told there is a high likelihood the tumor is cancerous. The good news is that it can be operated on—but due to the size and complexity, it requires a specialist. Our regular vet wasn’t able to perform the procedure, and we contacted multiple emergency clinics in hopes of getting it done quickly, but none were able to take Mac in soon. Meanwhile, our vet stressed that this tumor needed to be removed as immediately as possible. That’s when we finally found a surgical facility today that could do the operation and has a great reputation for their work.

We’re also encouraged that the cancer appears to be mostly localized to one area. Some nodules were found on Mac’s liver and spleen during the ultrasound, which could be signs of spreading—but we won’t know for sure until the tumor is removed and those organs can be more thoroughly examined and tested. For now, there’s reason to hope that it hasn’t gone any further.

Through all of this, Mac has remained in great spirits. He’s not in pain and continues to act like the same loyal, playful, and loving dog that’s always been a huge part of our family.

If the tumor turns out to be low-grade, there’s a decent chance the nodules aren’t cancerous. But if it’s high-grade, there’s a stronger possibility that it has begun to spread. We’ll get more answers after the surgery and pathology. Despite the unknowns, we’re staying hopeful. Mac is still young and strong, and we believe he has more happy years ahead of him.

The cost of the surgery is significantly higher than a typical procedure. That’s partly because the tumor grew so quickly, but also because muscle tissue will need to be removed. This isn’t a simple cut-and-close surgery. We had very little time to make decisions, and while the clinic we found is more expensive, they had availability and are known for excellent care. We truly didn’t want to wait and risk the tumor progressing further.

The estimated cost for Mac’s surgery, follow-up care, and related expenses is around $7,500. We know that sounds like a huge amount—and some people might say, “It’s just a dog.” But Mac is part of our family, and he’s got a good fighting chance to still live a longer, happy life. We’re doing everything we can to give him that chance.

It’s not easy for us to ask for help. Like many families, we’ve faced financial challenges over the past year and a half. But if you feel led to support Mac’s surgery—whether through a donation, a prayer, or simply by sharing this with others—we would be deeply grateful. Mac isn’t just a pet. He’s family. And we’re doing everything we can to give him the best shot at a full and happy life.

Thank you for your kindness and support.